This is Called Local Specialty? Haotian and Yaochi Kneel and Lick on the Spot

Outside the Purple Cloud Palace, clouds gathered and rosy mists swirled.

This ancient, eternal Daoist palace floated in the deepest reaches of chaos, forged entirely from an unknown purple divine stone, exuding a terrifying pressure that suppressed all heavens and myriad realms.

The palace gates were shut tight.

Standing on either side of the entrance were two exquisitely carved boy attendants.

The boy wore golden-threaded robes, a hint of arrogance in his brows; this was Haotian, the future ruler of the Heavenly Court.

The girl was clad in Yaochi's immortal gauze, her eyes bright and teeth white, exuding an aura of spiritual grace; this was the future Queen Mother, Yaochi.

At this moment, the two stood guard at the entrance. Though merely gatekeepers, even when facing Grand Luo Golden Immortals who had journeyed arduously from the Great Desolation, their backs were straight, chins slightly raised, receiving the courtesies of the crowd.

After all, even a minor official at the prime minister's gate held rank, let alone a disciple of a Saint.

"Greetings, two immortal youths."

Several powerful beings, who had finally managed to pass through the chaotic gales, now ragged and disheveled, approached with fawning smiles, cupping their fists in a greeting to the two little brats.

These individuals were, after all, overlords in their own right, usually receiving worship from all beings. Yet, to hear the Dao, they had to bow their heads.

Haotian merely glanced at them indifferently, nodding slightly as a return greeting. He couldn't even be bothered to say more, maintaining his dignity perfectly.

Just then.

A sudden and rather discordant roar shattered the solemnity before the palace gates.

This was immediately followed by high-pitched and melodious immortal music, played on some unknown Great Dao conch, exuding an aura of decadent luxury that shook the very soul.

Haotian and Yaochi frowned, displeased.

The Purple Cloud Palace was a place of purity for the Saint; who dared to be so boisterous?

The two looked towards the sound and saw the chaotic mist parting as a colossal entity descended with unparalleled pressure.

It was a magnificent carriage, shimmering with a purple-gold hue.

As it approached, the powerful beings still queuing for the gate felt a mountain-like pressure descend upon them, and they cried out in alarm, retreating to the sides.

Nine terrifying pure-blooded true dragons pulled the carriage, their wheels rumbling, crushing the void.

This carriage seemed to have no concept of "discretion."

It did not stop at the edge of the plaza or in a corner, but drove straight towards the main entrance of the Purple Cloud Palace.

"Bold!"

Haotian's expression darkened, and he was about to reprimand them.

Boom!

With an extremely arrogant tail-swing, the carriage stopped steadily in the center of the main gate, its massive body almost blocking half the entrance.

Most outrageously, the extended eaves of the carriage were only three inches away from the plaque of the Purple Cloud Palace, which contained supreme Daoist charm.

With the slightest deviation, the Saint's signboard would likely be scratched by this carriage.

This wasn't parking?

This was clearly driving the carriage into Old Ancestor Hongjun's living room!

The powerful beings around, who had been tidying their appearances, widened their eyes and gasped.

Who was this?

So brave?

Weren't they afraid of being slapped to death by a Saint?

Just as everyone was in doubt, the carriage door slowly opened.

There was no sign of embarrassment as expected, nor any fatigue from a long journey.

Taiyuan stepped out first, clad in a moon-white flowing cloud Daoist robe, spotless. Subtle waves of Innate Divine Prohibition brilliance flowed across it. He wore cloud-treading boots and a jade linglong hung from his waist. The man looked as if he had just returned from a stroll in his own backyard, radiant.

Following behind were Jieyin and Zhunti, both also beaming. Zhunti, in particular, still had some uncleaned fruit dregs on the corner of his mouth, clearly indicating he had had a very comfortable journey.

In contrast, the powerful beings on the plaza, whose faces were smudged by the gales and whose Daoist robes were torn, looked like a group of beggars who had just escaped from a refugee camp.

This stark visual contrast made everyone present feel a strange pang of sadness.

Comparing oneself to others was enough to cause death from anger.

Haotian watched this scene, his anger rising even further.

He had served his master in the Purple Cloud Palace for so many years, and he had never seen anyone dare to block the entrance with their carriage.

Immediately, his small face stiffened. He had to teach these three ill-mannered individuals a lesson and let them know whose territory this was.

"Presumptuous!"

Haotian stepped forward, flicking his horsetail whisk. His voice was crisp but filled with anger, "This is a sacred place of the Purple Cloud Palace, how can you... "

Before he could finish speaking.

Taiyuan had already walked up to him.

Without waiting for Haotian's lengthy scolding to end, Taiyuan's face broke into a smile as warm as spring breeze, and he gently flipped his right hand.

Two exquisitely woven bamboo baskets, emitting a faint, fresh fragrance, appeared out of thin air.

"Little immortal attendant, no need to be so hot-tempered."

Taiyuan's tone was gentle, like an older brother from next door. He casually stuffed one of the baskets into Haotian's arms.

"We brothers are new here. We were delayed on the road a bit and had to stop the carriage rather abruptly. Please forgive us."

Haotian originally wanted to push the basket back. As a Saint's attendant, how could he accept bribes?

If this got out, where would Haotian's reputation go?

Just as he was about to refuse righteously, a dense, almost impenetrable power of stars surged into his nostrils.

Haotian subconsciously lowered his head to look.

The moment he looked, his entire body froze.

The hand that had wanted to refuse seemed to have taken root, gripping the basket handle tightly, unable to move even a fraction.

Inside the basket, strings of purplish-blue grapes were piled high.

Each grape was crystal clear, as if carved from the purest amethyst. Not only did primordial patterns flow across their skin, but a miniature phantom of a star also floated and spun within the flesh of the fruit.

Star Grapes!

The fruit of the top-grade Innate Spiritual Root—the Star Fruit Tree!

Legend had it that this spiritual root was shattered and lost during the Dragon-Phoenix First Tribulation. How could its fruit still exist now?

Consuming just one of these could not only refine the physical body but also directly comprehend the laws of stars, increasing one's cultivation by ten thousand years!

And here... there was an entire basketful!

At least a hundred of them!

Haotian felt his brain struggling to keep up. His breathing grew rapid, and the stern expression on his small face first turned red, then quickly filled with an unprecedented... obsequiousness.

"This... this esteemed immortal, this is too precious, how can I possibly accept..." he said, though his hands held the basket even tighter.

"Sigh, what's precious and what's not."

Taiyuan waved his hand, looking unconcerned. "It's just a local specialty from our backyard. We usually let them rot in the fields when we can't finish them. I saw you two immortal attendants standing here guarding the gate, it must be tiring, and your throats must be dry, right? Take them to moisten your throats, don't be polite."

Local specialty?

Rotting in the fields?

The powerful beings nearby, eavesdropping with pricked ears, almost choked on the spot, collectively suffering heart attacks.

This was a treasure that could cause bloody storms in the Great Desolation if even one drop leaked out!

And you call it a local specialty? For moistening throats?

Do you use this to moisten your throats at home?

Yaochi, standing to the side, had initially maintained her composure and looked at Haotian's pathetic display with some disdain.

The next second.

Taiyuan smiled and offered the other basket to her.

"Little girl, you're so lovely. This basket is slightly sweeter, take it as a snack."

Yaochi looked down. This basket's quality was even better than Haotian's, with even a few fruits that had returned to their ancestral state, glowing golden.

"Ah!"

Yaochi exclaimed, her aloof fairy demeanor instantly collapsing. Her large eyes curved into crescent moons, and she sweetly called out, "Thank you, esteemed sir, for your generosity! Esteemed sir, you are too kind!"

That "esteemed sir" was called out so crisply and melodiously, from the bottom of her heart.

Haotian, who had been like a grim-faced demon just moments before, now displayed an astonishing talent for a change of face.

He keenly noticed the spotless surface of Taiyuan's boots.

"Oh my, esteemed sir, look at your shoes, they're a bit dirty."

Haotian quickly bent down and, using the cuff of his usually treasured immortal robe, meticulously wiped Taiyuan's pristine boots.

"There's a lot of chaotic dust here. Please wait a moment, I'll open a side gate for you. We won't jostle with those common folk."

The powerful beings queuing around them watched this scene, their eyeballs nearly falling out.

Was this still the same gatekeeping attendant who had been aloof and arrogant towards them just now?

This was simply the most solicitous shop assistant!

Di Jun and Tai Yi stood in the crowd, looking at the treatment Taiyuan was receiving and then at the piece of Lihuo Jingjin they had prepared as a gift. They instantly felt it was inadequate, their faces burning with shame.

"Who exactly are these three from the West...?"

Many people secretly wondered, imprinting Taiyuan's face deeply in their minds and labeling him "absolutely not to be provoked."

Taiyuan enjoyed the top-tier service from the two future rulers of the Heavenly Court, feeling immensely pleased.

Problems that could be solved with money were not problems at all.

Using a basket of fruit to exchange for the favor of the future Heavenly Emperor and Queen Mother—this was a deal that yielded immense profit.

[Ding! Detected that the host has subdued Haotian and Yaochi with "money power", shocking the entire audience.]

[Congratulations to the host for obtaining the reward: Primordial Sky Measuring Ruler (Fragment).]

Taiyuan's heart stirred.

Primordial Sky Measuring Ruler?

That was a Postnatal Merit Supreme Treasure, a great weapon that didn't attract Karma when killing! Even a fragment was far more powerful than an ordinary top-grade Spiritual Treasure.

The System's prompt continued to sound:

[Note: This item contains the Great Dao of measurement, just as the host wished. It is most suitable for measuring the acreage of Spiritual Fields, planning furrows, and ensuring that every crop receives uniform light. It is an essential divine artifact for farming.]

Taiyuan's lips twitched slightly, but he silently gave it a thumbs-up in his heart.

Not bad, it fits my role perfectly.

Fighting and killing is so boring. Holding a ruler to measure land is the proper business.

"My esteemed lords, please come in. The auspicious hour hasn't arrived yet, but you can go in and pick a good spot to rest your feet."

Haotian said with a fawning smile. This was super VIP treatment.

Taiyuan smiled and nodded, leading Jieyin and Zhunti, who were still savoring the thrill of showing off from earlier, across the threshold of the Purple Cloud Palace amidst envious and jealous gazes.

All that remained were a group of great cultivators, watching in the cold wind as the two attendants waved goodbye to the three receding figures, their hearts filled with bitterness.

"Having money... is truly wonderful."

Old Ancestor Hongyun muttered to himself, speaking the thoughts of everyone present.